Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Certification
• All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology - Radiography (ARRT) (R)
• Advanced ARRT certification is required for assignments that include computed tomography (CT) - magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - [or Mammography (M) duties performed independently - as applicable]
• Advanced certification indicates that the incumbent [can operate independently] and has demonstrated specific clinical competency in the appropriate specialty and taken and passed the designated examination
• [In modalities that require advanced certification - to support their continued development - technologists who do not possess an advanced certification may be provided on the job training with oversight from a certified radiologic technologist.] Education
• Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the equivalent) in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program - evidenced by a certificate or an associate degree - accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or from [other accrediting agencies as recognized by the Department of Education (DOE).] Credentialing Standards
• Public Law 97-35 - the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981 - requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75 - Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs and the Credentialing of Radiographic Personnel
• Essentially - they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field
• Loss of Credential
• An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain certification within two years - or who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice
• To be creditable - experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologic technology practice
• This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of one year of active practice - which is paid or non-paid employment as a DRT as defined by ARRT
• (2) Quality of Experience
• Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified in above
• Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination
• (3) Part-Time Experience
• Part-time experience as a DRT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek
• For example - a DRT would receive one week of full- time credit for each two weeks of half-time work
• Specialized Assignments
• Specialized areas of radiologic technology include general diagnostic radiologic technology (R) - bone densitometry (BD) - mammography (M) - diagnostic ultrasound (S) - computed tomography (CT) - magnetic resonance imaging (MR) - [interventional radiologic technology (IR)] - quality management (QM) - [picture archival communication system (PACS) technologist - MRI safety officer (MRSO) - imaging administrator - clinical program director - and clinical instructor.] Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR)
• This specialty modality requires additional knowledge of superconducting magnets - the physics of superconducting magnets - and how they relate to the human anatomy in medical imaging
• The technologist must be educated in the safety factors governing a magnetic environment that patients - visitors - and equipment enter
• The practitioner must have specialized knowledge of cross sectional anatomy and how it relates to the soft tissues and vessels of the human body
• The technologist must also have specialized knowledge in the radio-frequency surface coils required for each specific anatomical area to be imaged
• This assignment may also perform basic magnetic resonance safety program duties
• Technologists must be knowledgeable in contrast media - power injectors - and PACS
• DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT (MR) certification
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment - the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-10 1) Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• (2) Assignments
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) - and range of variety - and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• DRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments: Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist
• Employees are trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures related to these modalities as well as performing general diagnostic procedures
• At this grade level - any assignment in a single modality must demonstrate significant complexity
• Such assignments are unique - perhaps with expert specialization in complex areas of radiologic technology - Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) regulations - and intermediate QM type duties within the program
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i
• Knowledge of radiation protection standards - devices and techniques - including concepts of accumulated dosage - dose monitoring - and genetic changes
• ii
• Ability to utilize advanced imaging software that supports complex imaging programs and recognize changes in equipment and procedures that might result in increased exposures - and ability to recommend methods to prevent such exposures
• iii
• Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy - electric power - magnetic fields - and properties of x-ray - to understand the operation of the equipment
• iv
• Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT - MRI - IR - ultrasound - mammography) studies.] Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10 which is the actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy.

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf The incumbent serves as a Diagnostic Radiology Technologist for Imaging Service at the James J
• Peters VA Medical Center
• In this position the incumbent will perform routine to moderately complex radiographic examination procedures - and MRI exams used for medical diagnosis
• GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: - Performs all routine and complex radiographic procedures
• These exams are achieved using diagnostic digital X-Ray equipment such as: DR Radiographic - DR Fluoroscopic - and DR Chest Radiographic units
• - Operates equipment for the purpose of providing radiographic examinations for the diagnosis and treatment of patients
• These examinations are performed with or without enteric contrast material
• - Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for the purpose of performing exams of the upper and lower GI tract
• - Performs radiographic exams at the bedside and in the operating rooms providing diagnostic x- rays to the surgeons and professional staff on patients that are unable to be x-rayed in the Radiology Service due to incapacity or surgical procedures upon request - operates the digital fluoro unit in the Operating Room
• - Edits and when necessary registers patients in the computerized Radiology Information System (RIS) as well as the work list management portion of the HIS-RIS interface
• Understands the principals of the use of CR and PACS
• Uses these electronic methods to complete procedures - assign accurate patient information to studies then electronically send images for interpretation
• - Incumbent must demonstrate knowledge of human anatomy and physiology as well as medical terminology in order to perform responsibilities - and demonstrate a high degree of accuracy in radiographic positioning and exposure techniques
• - Incumbent must be able to perform a variety of routine and complex CT (Computerized Tomography) exams including routine - vascular (cardiac and non-cardiac) - musculoskeletal and neuroradiologic
• - Incumbent must be able to perform a variety of routine and complex MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) exams including routine - vascular (peripheral - neurovascular) - neuro (brain/spine) and musculoskeletal
• - Incumbent must be familiar with the loading - programming and use of automated power injectors
• - Incumbent must be familiar with identifying and initiating treatment for extravasation of IV contrast
• - Incumbent must be familiar with the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction to intravenous iodinated contrast - as well as gadolinium based MR contrast agents - and immediately inform medical staff in the area including nurse and/or physician - and if necessary activate emergency code and initiate CPR
• - Incumbent must have competency to perform MR - CT and special/interventional procedures
• - Incumbent must be well versed in all issues related to patient safety and site safety as well as following all regulations in the MR environment - which is unique - as per local policy
• - Incumbent spends roughly 75% of time performing MR and 25% of time performing CT exams - general radiology and special/interventional procedures
• **For a full list of duties please see the functional statement
• Work Schedule: Day Shift
• Coverage is expected 24 hours - 7 days a week
• The incumbent is expected to provide various tour coverage with regular weekends and holidays
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• EDRP Coordinator VISN2CompensationTeam@va.gov can be contacted for information - questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Functional Statement #: Diagnostic Radiologic MR Technologist Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized